The second in what is developing into an engaging and fascinating series. Gabriel Drax is learning well on the job and from his reluctant beginnings is gradually turning into a serviceable secret agent.

He is still pretty much the fall guy to whom things happen but he shows initiative and grit in getting out of tight scrapes.

The writing, as you would expect, is skilled and lush, laced with gentle humour and pertinent character descriptions.

An easy and satisfying read.

Surprisingly enjoyed this quite a lot. My normal genre would be modern day with female leads. This was based in the 1960s with a reluctant male English spy lead. Well written and engaging on human relationships and story level. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A minor criticism: this book is not particularly well-served by its title. 'The Predicament' tells us almost nothing about this novel's contents and risks making it sound like a comedic farce, which it most certainly isn't.
However, don't be put off. This is a perfectly enjoyable sequel to 2023's Gabriel's Moon. That book, set in 1961, saw travel writer, Gabriel Dax getting unwittingly drawn into a world of international espionage. This second book, picks up Dax's adventures in 1963 as we see Dax facing more danger and excitement as he becomes aware of a new dastardly plot: a conspiracy to assassinate the popular US president, John F. Kennedy. Boyd is a never less than compelling writer and this follow-up book featuring Dax proves very nearly as engaging as the first.
But the title is a mistake.